Creating Work/Life Balance | Feathers and Stripes

Can I tell you something? I don’t really want “it all”. I was reading this article recently, and this line struck me:

Because having it all, by its very nature, implies that you have a lot more than you can handle. Who can handle “it all,” anyway? “ALL” IS A WHOLE F**KING HELL OF A LOT.

What do I mean by saying that I don’t really want “it all”? I mean that I don’t want a life that looks beautiful from the outside but makes me miserable on the inside.

These days I find myself balancing more than sometimes even I realize between my work life and my life life. On the average week, my to do list looks something like this: 40 hour workweek at my “real” job, 10-12 hours in class for my MBA plus 4-6 hours of homework, 10-15 hours working on a side project, time spent writing this blog (give or take 75 hours a week). Then there’s the grocery shopping, managing the schedule for the house-based services we use, including our dog walker, and anything additional that might happen to pop up (water damage in 7 rooms in our house this winter? On it.). Add on commuting time, an appointment here and there, family commitments, time spent with friends, and we’re looking at a less than perfect schedule (and less than ideal time sleeping). But somehow I still figure out how to find the time to watch my favorite shows and read a little bit. I don’t think what I do is perfect, but it works for me and my little family.

So while we’re talking about work/life balance, earlier this month I told you 5 ways I stay organized, which I think helps a lot in keeping me feeling balanced. Honestly, if I don’t have it written down but I know it needs to get done (regardless of whatever “it” is), I feel off.

Here are three tips to creating balance for yourself, regardless of how crazy (or not) your schedule is:

Find a method that works for you

My organization methods may not work for you. Maybe you like paper calendars instead of using Google Calendar. Find what works for you and replicate it week after week. It can be hard to get into a routine, but stick with it! Use your commuting time (if you’re on the subway) to make your to do list for the day. Tackle the most important items first, even if they’re going to take you the longest.

Learn when to let go

Sometimes there are things I want to do and I realize they’re just not going to happen right when I want them to. And that’s okay! Accept that and move on. It doesn’t mean it won’t happen – it just means it’s not going to happen right now. Letting it go will leave you with more energy to put toward something else in the now.

Edit

Strip out from your life the things that aren’t making you feel fulfilled, and put more energy toward the things that are. I’m working on doing this physically, getting rid of anything that doesn’t make me happy. (Have you read this article about discarding anything that doesn’t spark joy?) If your commute adds two hours on either end and you absolutely cannot find time to work out or see your family, maybe it’s time to talk to your employer about working from home a couple of days a week – or find a job closer to home.

Make sure you check out these other blogs for other tips on creating work/life balance (from people who do it pretty well!). We all linked up with The B Bar today to talk about balance.

The B Bar // 26 and Not Counting // Rae Loves // Sarah Hartley // Carrie Loves // Soak and Simmer // The Not Quite Adult // White Cabana // PreppyPanache // LiskaMonet // Alyssa J Freitas // Rossetto // With Love From Ellie // Cake & Lilies // Feathers and Stripes // Leigh Clair // White Oak Creative // Life Modifier // Perfect Enough for Us // Random Little Faves // Jacque Of All Trades // Business Betties // Girl for Granted // Alicia Tenise // The Yuppie Flies // It’s Droolworthy // Something Good Blog // Elana Lyn // Forth Chicago // Emilie Lima Burke Manifest Yourself // Fit for a Bride Blog // A Little Leopard // Corals and Cognacs // Little Wild Heart // It’s Julien // Boys and Bombshell // Meg Biram // Victoria McGinley

Photos via my Instagram

Comments

White Cabana says

April 22, 2015 at 12:02 pm

Edit! Great advice…I also think about that idea as "what is worth my energy"? If I don't think something is worth my energy, I edit it out. Great advice.

Alyssa J Freitas says

April 22, 2015 at 1:52 pm

I constantly am working on editing my life! I tend to bite off more than is good for me and it is a never ending struggle to step back.

Alyssa J Freitas

Kimberly Brown says

April 22, 2015 at 1:19 pm

Organization is so key! I've got my own little system to that I use – a mix of written and verbal. 🙂

Lindsay Humes says

April 22, 2015 at 2:18 pm

Oh my! You have so much on your plate! I really like your advice about editing. I've considered myself in the process of editing for the past two years – everything from professionally to my hobbies. It has been one of the more rewarding processes of my entire life.

Alyssa Guttendorf says

April 22, 2015 at 7:27 pm

You are one busy girl! I give you so much credit for balancing a full time job and your MBA degree (oh, and all that other stuff). I'm so with you on the need for organization. I call myself a "perpetual list-maker;" sometimes I'll even make lists for making lists! That might be called insanity.. I'm always interested to hear other people's strategies though– thanks for sharing!

Rebecca Spencer says

April 22, 2015 at 9:16 pm

Learning to let go is something I'm TRYING so hard to do. I've let go of stress over the things I can't control, so that's a step in the right direction.

Cara Kuhl says

April 27, 2015 at 5:08 pm

You certainly do have a lot on your plate… but it sounds like you have the right perspective and attitude to tackle it. I am definitely working on the "edit" piece… that's one I could use setting an intentional goal around. I didn't participate in the actual link up, but am enjoying the topic so much I posted about it today!